TEAM HERALD
MARGAO: Konkan Railway must have unveiled an ambitious plan to upgrade its Margao railway station into a world class railway station. KRC Chairman B P Tayal has further announced plans to strengthen intelligence gathering to crack a whip on the mafia using its trains for liquor smuggling.
Sadly, the KRC has no plans to clean up its property between the Margao railway station and the flyover covered with bushes and vegetation – which has become a heaven for thieves and thugs to take shelter after committing crimes in the city.
In fact, the Margao police have dashed off a letter to the Konkan Railway police to clear the thick growth of vegetation on a priority basis as thieves use the bushes for shelter after indulging in crimes. Margao Police station in-charge, PI Sudesh Naik says the thieves use the bushes as a hide out to commit crimes such as chain snatching and other petty crimes. “I have written a letter to the KRC to clean up the place in a bid to keep the criminals at bay”, he added.
Police sources said that it’s not uncommon to find miscreants running towards the bushes to take shelter when challenged by the men-in-uniform at night. “Besides clearing the bushes, the area should be well illuminated, especially near the flyovers to keep track of miscreants,” remarked a senior police officer in the know.
That miscreants take advantage of the absence of illumination is evidence by the number of robberies and chain snatching incidents near the flyovers. A couple of months ago, the area near the flyover at the old railway station was used to sexually assault a minor boy.
The thick growth of vegetation has also turned the vast open space between the station and the Margao flyover into an eyesore.
When contacted, KRC Sr Public Relations Manager, Baban Ghatge said that his office would look into the request of the Margao police to clean up the thick vegetation in the railway property. “I will take a look at the correspondence before initiating action,” Ghatge said.
